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Would you like to study a sustainability module or a language?

Posted on 31 January 2025

On many programmes, you have the opportunity to step outside your degree and expand your knowledge by taking a module from a different department or school.

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We call these ‘elective modules’ and two types are now open for you to apply to study in the next academic year (2025/26):

York Interdisciplinary Modules (YIMs) exploring sustainability

Work collaboratively to solve local, regional and global sustainability challenges with our York Interdisciplinary Modules (YIMs) exploring sustainability. You'll be taught by academics from different departments and work in groups with students from across the University, allowing you to apply your expertise to these challenges and learn from students and staff from other disciplines.

York language electives

Language electives help you broaden your horizons and deepen your knowledge of different cultures. You can choose from a wide range of language modules available at different levels of study in languages including Arabic, Chinese, Classical Latin, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Medieval Latin, Russian and Spanish.

Application deadline: Saturday 8 March 2025

For more information on these types of elective modules and how to apply, see our studying beyond your department web page. 

Studying beyond your department

Before you apply

Before you apply for an elective module, you need to check with your home department if you are able to take an elective module next academic year and, if so, which semester(s) you can take an elective module in. You can find your departmental contact at the foot of our electives web page. 

Other elective modules

Applications for our third type of elective module - our general electives - open later this year, where a wide range of departments open up some of their modules under various themes. We’ll be in touch to let you know when this application window opens.

Studying beyond your department